What are the benefits of 3G/4G netwroks for Pakistani consumers?

So Pakistan is going to have 3G and 4G soon. So what? How is it going to affect you and me? Or as they say the average Joe? What is the single or a few big benefits that a common consumer will have from this much talked and discussed technology? This small post will attempt to dispel some big doubts about 3G and 4G/LTE.

To put it more simply, the “G” in 3G and 4G refers to generation in terms of evolution. So if today we have 2 or 2.5G in a few months time, God willing and with politicians well fed we will have 3G and 4G, the next generation mobile networks. 4G is also called as the Long Term Evolution (LTE). Oh by the way I have had the honor of using 3G and 4G both, 3G while in US last year and 3G as well as 4G/LTE in Saudi Arabia. And, I can tell you the experience is awesome. Ok the main difference between all these technologies is of SPEED! Yes, these are fast networks, mush more faster then what we have in Pakistan today. So with 3G and 4G the main benefits will be:

Faster Browsing: Users will experience super fast browsing speeds. That’s because on average 3G has average data throughput of 3.1 Mbps and 4G is estimated around 12 Mbps.

Live Video Streaming: You will be able to see Youtube, Dailymotion and Vimeo on you smartphone, iPad or tablet in HD. That’s as simple as it gets. And listen to songs in hi fidelity sampled at higher data rates. Means very good quality music over same mobile phone without needing WLAN.

Skype/Video calling: You will get super awesome Skype/Video experience, much better than what you have on your WLAN. And it will be while on the move too. Besides the usual Viber and Whattsapp will also work much faster.

Big MMS: Yes, forget the present 100 Kb limit. Now you can send a big pic snapped with your 12 MP Samsung S4 camera without compressing it to the bare minimum limits. So the recipient gets to see you much better.

Faster Downloads: With peak download rates in 3G at 100 Mbps and 1 Gbps in 4G expect to get super fast downloads. Songs and movies will be downloaded at least a hundred times faster theoretically.

So the logical thing for anyone aspiring to try this technology is to buy a 3G or 4G enabled smartphone if they already don’t have one. But so far we don’t know how much its going to cost in Pakistan to have a 3G or 4G connections. Also, the voice and SMS will remain unchanged. So if you are not a big fan of using Internet on the go, 3G or 4G might not have much value for you.